3 Wall Construction
Cleaning Out
Once the block laying for the wall is completed, the
base course is cleaned out usually by water jet
aided by compressed air.
Grouting
There are four different methods described in NZS
4210 Clause 2.11.6, one relates to low lift (1.2 m
high) and three relate to high lift systems up to 3.6
m.
Step 1:
Figure 2: Clean-out Units in Rebated Base
Clean-out grout space and remove all debris and
It is usual to cut a face shell creating a 75 mm – 100 loose material from the construction joint. See
mm wide opening the full height of the block. See Figure 3, page 2.
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rodding or by using a 25 mm pencil vibrator. When
dealing with window openings it is important to use a
25 mm vibrator in the cells adjoining the opening to
ensure grout flow along the sill line. See Figure 5.
Figure 3: Step 1
Step 2:
Grout the wall in a semi continuous operation to the
top. See Figure 4.
Figure 5: Step 3
Step 4:
Trowel down the top of the wall after grout
expansion has taken place. See Figure 6.
Figure 6: Step 4
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Control Joints It is recommended that masking tape be applied to
the face of the concrete masonry on both sides of
Horizontal wall movements mainly associated with the joints before applying the filler/sealant, thereby
shrinkage may require the use of control joints. confining the filler/sealant to the joint and preventing
Since the movements are influenced by various the marking of the block face. The masking tape is
design factors such as the amount of horizontal removed after the surface of the filler/sealant has
steel, the positioning of the joints is the responsibility become firm.
of the designer.
A control joint block (Figure 8), available in some
To control movements in masonry walls from various areas, provides lateral support by means of tongue-
kinds of stresses, increasing use is being made of and-groove-shaped ends of the block. These control
control joints. joint blocks are made in half-length units and
interlock with the recessed web-end of standard
Control joints are continuous vertical joints built into whole units. The vertical control joint is caulked on
concrete masonry walls at places where stresses both faces with a filler/sealant as mentioned above.
might concentrate. To keep control joints as
unnoticeable as possible, care must be taken to In NZS 4229 structures, some recommendations are
build them plumb and of the same thickness as the given as to position in Section 13 of that document
other mortar joints. If the control joint is to be as follows:
exposed to the weather or to view, it should be
sealed with a suitable caulking compound. Edges of
Longitudinal shrinkage stresses in concrete masonry
the masonry in the control joint may have to be
shall be controlled by providing vertical control joints
primed before caulking to prevent the dry masonry
at not more than 6 m centres.
from absorbing oils from the compound.
Figure 7: Control Joint Using Standard Whole and Half Unit Figure 8: Control joint using control joint units
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Figure 9: Plan of control joint at bond beam
In all cases the vertical cores both sides of a control wash and brush the joint a few hours after the grout
joint should be grouted and reinforced, while bond has hardened to provide a clean surface ready for
beam reinforcement should be arranged to allow the next lift. See Figure 12.
anticipated movement to occur.
At the position of this intermediate horizontal
One way of doing this is to stop the bond beam at construction joint it will, of course, be necessary to
the control joint and to bridge the joint with round form clean out ports, as was required for starting off
steel dowel bars lapped with the bond beam at the ground level. A sand covering of the cleaned
reinforcing bars. The round dowel bars must be well surface will keep droppings from sticking to the
greased to allow movement. See Figure 9, page 3. surface. Cleaning out of the horizontal joint is
required before placing the next lift.
For NZS 3604 structures, control joint spacing for
walls 2 metres high are 8 m, 1.2 m height 12 m and
800 mm high 24 mm maximum. A typical control
joint is shown in Figures 8 (page 3) and 10.
Construction Joints
Construction joints may be required between
different masonry wall lifts. A horizontal construction
joint will occur on the top of the uppermost masonry
unit. The level of the construction joint, however,
should not be lower than 20 mm from the top of this
unit. See Figure 11.
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through the temperature may be lower, it is
necessary to take some additional precautions.
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Basic Construction Details
The concept details on the following pages, indicate up into masonry walls. This matter is to be
basic uses of concrete masonry in building individually considered bearing in mind site
construction. They are presented as guides to conditions, structural design, construction procedure
detailing and construction and not as finite solutions and other relative factors. Damp proof courses can
to a wide variety of situations and conditions. be provided by painting the top of the footing with a
bituminous or similar emulsion, but such a coating
The details are primarily based upon NZS 4229 and would prevent a full bond between mortar and
NZS 3604. Reference to these two New Zealand footing and between grouted cores and footing.
Standards is often necessary to check the specific
application of the detail to the job under design. A full mortar bed of waterproof mortar at the top of
the footing might be acceptable, but in any and
The exact size, number and positioning of every case the matters of damp proofing and
reinforcing bars must be considered in every case. structural bond must be individually considered.
Wall thicknesses, footing widths and other matters
must likewise be considered in each and every case. Cavities of cavity walls or veneer walls must be
drained and ventilated as indicated, and moisture
Certain site conditions might require that masonry or must be prevented from rising from a cavity into the
insitu concrete footings should be treated with a roof space. This matter is more fully described
damp proof course to prevent ground moisture rising under the Veneer walls section of this manual.
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F0 FOUNDATION
F0/A
F0/A
A nominal stepdown to improve weathertightness of the structure at floor level can be used – 20-50 mm. The
following consequences on the modular construction must, however, be considered:
2. Opening dimension from floor to modular head position will be reduced by the depth of rebate chosen. To
maintain a satisfactory opening size and block coursing, it will be necessary to trim standard lintel blocks.
3. Width of rebate should be wide enough to permit the satisfactory provision of clean-out ports and their
subsequent reinstatement.
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F0
F0/B F0/C
F0/A
1. No rebate is required for internal walls by using a half high course of masonry.
2. For partial fill, clean-out ports at each reinforcing bar position in the half high course should be provided.
For solid fills, the internal half high course should be grout filled after laying prior to proceeding further. An
inverted 20.16 unit would then be laid incorporating clean-outs – see F1 (or 15.16).
F0/B
1. No rebate is required for internal walls by using a half high course of masonry on the external wall.
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F1 FOUNDATION
D = Minimum depth of footing: Typically 300 mm depending on soil type. See Section 3 NZS 4229.
W = Footing width: Minimum 300 mm depending on wall loading. See Section 6 NZS
4229.
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F1
D.P.M.
F1.2 Bottom course formed by using inverted 20.16 blocks enabling full length rodding to remove mortar
droppings from slab interface (or 15.16).
F1.3 Cleanout ports at 800 mm crs usually formed by cutting outside face from bottom course, to be replaced
and firmly wedged after cleanout and vertical steel in position.
F1.4 Setting the masonry into a rebated foundation detail can improve the weathertightness of the wall at that
joint. The use of a rebate alters the notional modular door opening size. See F0.
F1.5 Concrete slab strength 17.5-20 MPa quoted is appropriate to domestic and non-direct wearing light duty
floors. Commercial floors should have strength selected from 25-40 MPa as appropriate to condition.
Floor thickness of 100 mm is taken from NZS 4229 for domestic loading. The spacing of control joints
determines the size of mesh used in the floor.
Seismic Horizontal Spacing of Vertical Steel (D12) Vertical Spacing of Horizontal Steel (D16)
Zone mm mm
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F2 FOUNDATION
D = Minimum depth of footing: Typically 300 mm depending on soil type. See Section 3 NZS
4229.
W = Footing width: Minimum 300 mm depending on wall loading. See Section 6 NZS
4229.
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F2
F2.3 Provide cleanout ports at vertical bar locations for cleanout and vertical lap tie.
F2.4 Provide a stepdown on external wall from the slab to the masonry bed to permit moisture egress.
On a perimeter wall, where obstructions prevent external cleanouts, use internal cleanouts in the second
course.
600 mm Zone B
800 mm Zone C
Note: Horizontal steel not required where bond beam is within 2.8 m maximum height.
F2.6 Detail may be used for solid filled construction - Refer F0 Section B.
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F3 FOUNDATION
D = Minimum depth of footing: Typically 300 mm depending on soil type. See Section 3 NZS
4229.
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F3
F3.2 For foundations less than 1.2 m high, inverted bottom course sand cleanouts are not necessary.
F3.4 Where available, use Type 45 units as top of foundation and run D.P.M. over face shell to permit full
integration with slab.
F3.5 In solid filled construction use inverted Type 16 units above slab level to permit nodding of slab junction.
F3.6 In partially filled construction provide weepholes in vertical joints midway between filled cells and
cleanouts at vertical base. These to be provided at slab level.
F3.7 All foundations must be excavated to horizontal benches. Soil conditions dictate the width of footings or
sub-footings. See Section 4, 5 and 6 of NZS 4229.
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F4 FOUNDATION
D = Minimum depth of footing: Typically 300 mm depending on soil type. See Section 3 NZS
4229.
W = Screed Width: Minimum 300 mm depending on wall loading. See Section 6 NZS
4229.
R = Rebate: 25 mm
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F4
F4.3 Ensure cavity is free from pipes and services which would pass moisture from the rear face to the
framing.
F4.4 Provide weepholes in vertical joints of bottom course at approximately 800 mm crs.
F4.5 Minimum step of 50 mm required between veneer seat and slab level.
F4.6 Where practical bring slab D.P.M. up the face of framing and fasten behind wall building paper. Overlap
by at least 75 mm.
F4.7 Where integral slab prevents D.P.M. from folding up face of slab, paint edge of slab and masonry seat
with bitumen emulsion to within 50 mm of footing face.
F4.8 Wall tie spacing relates to 87 mm veneer construction. Special tie conditions apply for 70 mm
construction.
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F5 FOUNDATION
D = Foundation Depth: Typically 300 mm depending on soil type. See Section 3 NZS
4229.
W = Sub-footing Width: Minimum 300 mm depending on wall loading. See Section 6 NZS
4229.
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F5
In addition a crawl space of 450 min. height shall be provided to permit visual inspection. The 150
minimum height corresponds to the minimum height of masonry piles. Timber piles must extend 300 mm
above ground level.
F5.3 Foundation plinths formed by 2033 'L' shaped units can be used as an alternative to bolting bearer to
wall.
F5.4 In partially filled construction weepholes, in vertical joints between filled cells, are to be provided above
bond beams.
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F6 FOUNDATION
D = Foundation Depth: Typically 300 mm depending on soil type. See Section 3 NZS
4229.
W = Sub-footing Width: Minimum 300 mm depending on wall loading. See Section 6 NZS
4229.
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F6
F6.2 Bearers, blocking and boundary joists separated from blockwork by malthoid.
F6.4 Minimum sub-floor clearances are shown. In addition a crawl space of 450 minimum height shall be
provided to permit visual inspection. The 150 minimum height corresponds to the minimum height of
masonry piles. Timber piles must extend 300 mm above ground level.
F6.5 Bearers may be bolted onto wall instead of 2033 plinths. Bond beam restraints as required by NZS 4229
Section 10.
F6.6 In partially filled construction, weepholes in vertical joints between filled cells are to be provided above
bond beams.
F6.7 Bond beam reinforcement determined from NZS 4229 Table 10.1.
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F7 FOUNDATION
MASONRY VENEER
TIMBER FRAMING
TIMBER FLOOR
CONCRETE FOOTING
D = Foundation Depth: Typically 300 mm depending on soil type. See Section 3 NZS
4229.
W = Sub-footing Width: Minimum 300 mm depending on wall loading. See Section 6 NZS
4229.
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F7
F7.3 Where veneer extends below finished ground level, raise flaunching in cavity above ground and provide
external slope.
F7.4 Provide weepholes in vertical joints above flaunching or seating at 800 mm maximum crs.
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F8 FOUNDATION
D = Foundation Depth: Typically 300 mm depending on soil type. See Section 3 NZS
4229.
W = Sub-footing Width: Minimum 300 mm depending on wall loading. See Section 6 NZS
4229.
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F8
F8.2 Where flooring diaphragm action is required, see NZS 3604 for fixing requirements.
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I1 INTERMEDIATE FLOOR
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F7
I1.1 Provide lower wall construction joint within 20 mm of top of block course. Strike with outward fall where
practical.
I1.2 In solid filled construction inverted Type 16 blocks for lower course of upper wall.
I1.3 In partially filled construction provide weepholes and cleanout ports midway between filled cells and
cleanouts at vertical reinforcement.
I1.5 Refer to NZS 4229 Table 10.1 for reinforcement and permissible spans of bond beam.
I1.6 Wall thickness may change at junction from thicker lower to thinner upper wall.
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I2 INTERMEDIATE FLOOR
T = Masonry Thickness
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I2
(b) be of running bond pattern sheet material(c)sheets shall be greater than 1,800 x 900;
(c) sheets shall be fastened along each edge to boundary members at centres specified (typically
3.15 mm dia. nails at 150 crs.) and every intermediate member at 300 crs;
(f) fasteners shall not be less than 10 mm from edge. See also NZS 3604 requirements.
I2.3 Floor diaphragms shall not span more than16 mm between supports.
I2.4 25 mm x 1 mm galvanised nail strap to be twisted around vertical steel and cast with lower wall grout lift.
I2.5 25 x 1 galvanised nail strap to be nailed to joist or blocking for minimum of 800 mm with no less than ten
50 x 25 flathead nails.
I2.6 25 x 1 galvanised nail strap may extend along upper or lower face of the joists.
I2.7 Wall thickness may change at junction from thicker lower to thinner upper wall.
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I3 INTERMEDIATE FLOOR
T = Masonry Thickness
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I3
I3.1 Continuous plate required to be bolted to top of the masonry wall with Ml6 bolts at 1200 mm crs. Or M12
bolts at 900 mm crs.
I3.2 Plates shall be continuous over minor openings and be fastened to the wall within 200 mm of the
opening extent.
I3.3 The boundary joist or blocking is to be fastened to the plate by 100 x 3.75 skew nails at 400 crs. and by
nail plates (10 kw capacity) at 1.2 m crs.
I3.4 Refer 12.2 and 12.3 for details of diaphragm dimensions and fixings.
I3.5 For details of the bond beam requirements for a diaphragm system refer, NZS 4229 Section 10.
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I4 INTERMEDIATE FLOOR
T = Masonry Thickness
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I4
I4.2 Continuous plate required to be bolted to top of the masonry wall with M10 bolts or dowels at 1.4
maximum crs.
I4.3 Refer to Table 10, NZS 4229 for top bond beam reinforcing.
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I5 INTERMEDIATE FLOOR
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I5
I5.1 Continuous plate required to be bolted to top of the masonry wall with M16 bolts at 1200 mm crs or M12
bolts at 900 mm crs.
I5.2 Plates shall be continuous over minor openings and be fastened to the wall within 200 mm of the
opening extent.
I5.3 The boundary joist or blocking is to be fastened to the plate by 100 x 3.75 skew nails at 400 crs. and by
nail plates (10 kN capacity) at 1.2 m crs.
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I6 INTERMEDIATE FLOOR
MASONRY VENEER
TIMBER FRAMING
TIMBER FLOOR
CONCRETE MASONRY WALL
I6/A
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I6
I6/B
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R1 ROOF
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R1
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R2 ROOF
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R2
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R3 ROOF
T = Masonry Thickness
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R4 ROOF
T = Masonry Thickness
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